Core ConceptRead this first — the foundation of the topic
There are only three articles
'a', 'an', and 'the'. Yet students lose easy marks here. Let's master this topic.
CORE CONCEPT
Articles are words that come before nouns. They tell us if we're talking about something specific or general. 'A' and 'an' are indefinite articles (general). 'The' is definite article (specific).
KEY RULES
1
Use 'a' before consonant sounds
a book, a university (yu-sound)
2
Use 'an' before vowel sounds
an apple, an hour (silent h)
3
Use 'the' for specific things
the book you gave me
4
No article with plural general nouns
Books are useful (not 'The books')
5
No article with uncountable nouns in general sense
Water is life
Formula BlockMemorise — at least one formula appears in every paper
Sound Rule: Listen to SOUND, not spelling
- a + consonant sound (a one-way street - 'w' sound)
- an + vowel sound (an MBA - 'em' sound)
Specific vs General Rule:
- First mention = a/an (I saw a dog)
- Second mention = the (The dog was black)
Exam PatternsWhat examiners ask — read before attempting PYQs
1
Fill in blanks with correct article
2
Error spotting in article usage
3
Choose correct sentence from options
ShortcutsUse these to save 30–60 seconds per question
1
HOUN Rule
2
H: Silent H = an (an hour, an honest man)
3
H: Pronounced H = a (a house, a horse)
4
U: 'yu' sound = a (a university, a union)
5
U: 'u' sound = an (an umbrella, an uncle)
6
O: 'o' sound = an (an orange, an office)
7
O: 'w' sound = a (a one-day match)
Worked ExampleSolve this step-by-step before moving on
1
Step 1
Check the sound after the article
2
Step 2
'Honest' starts with silent H
3
Step 3
Silent H = vowel sound = 'an'
Answer: an
WORKED EXAMPLE 2
Question: 'I bought a book. ___ book was expensive.'
1
Step 1
First mention of book = indefinite article 'a'
2
Step 2
Second mention = specific book = 'the'
3
Step 3
Reader knows which book we're talking about
Answer: The
SHORTCUT 2 - Zero Article Rule
No article needed with:
- Proper nouns: Delhi, India, Ram
- Abstract nouns in general: Love is blind
- Subjects/Languages: Mathematics, English
- Meals in general: after breakfast
- Diseases: diabetes, cancer
Exam TrapsCommon mistakes students make — avoid these
#1
Students use spelling instead of sound. They write 'a hour' because H is consonant in spelling. But 'hour' sounds like 'our' - vowel sound.
So it's 'an hour'. Always check SOUND, not SPELLING.
SHORTCUT 3 - Superlative Rule
Always use 'the' with superlatives:
- the best student
- the most beautiful girl
- the highest mountain
This rule has zero exceptions in SSC exams.
Key Points to Remember
Sound Rule: Use 'a' before consonant sounds, 'an' before vowel sounds - check pronunciation, not spelling
HOUN Rule: Silent H and 'u' sound take 'an'; pronounced H and 'yu' sound take 'a'
Specific Rule: First mention uses a/an, second mention uses 'the'
Zero Article: No article with proper nouns, abstract nouns, subjects, meals, diseases in general sense
Superlative Rule: Always use 'the' with superlatives like 'the best', 'the most'
Uncountable nouns take no article in general sense: Water is life, not 'The water is life'
Plural nouns take no article in general sense: Books are useful, not 'The books are useful'
Musical instruments always take 'the': play the piano, the guitar, the violin
Unique things take 'the': the sun, the moon, the earth, the sky
Directions and positions take 'the': the north, the top, the bottom, the right
Exam-Specific Tips
Articles appear in 2-3 questions every SSC CGL exam
Only three articles exist in English: a, an, the
Silent H words take 'an': honest, hour, heir, honor
University, union, European take 'a' due to 'yu' consonant sound
One-day, one-way take 'a' due to 'w' consonant sound
All superlative forms must use 'the': the best, the worst, the highest
Musical instruments always take 'the': the piano, the guitar, the flute
Abstract nouns in general sense take zero article: love, hatred, honesty
Practice MCQs
Articles — Practice Questions
23graded MCQs · easy to hard · full solution & trap analysis · showing 20 of 23
In the following sentence, identify the part containing an error:
(A) The manager asked / (B) an employee / (C) to submit / (D) the report by Friday. / (E) No error
Practice 2easy
In the following sentence, identify the part containing an error:
(A) The students / (B) submitted / (C) their assignments / (D) on a time. / (E) No error
Practice 3easy
In the following sentence, identify the error (if any):
He gave me (A) an advice / (B) on how to / (C) improve my / (D) English skills. / No error (E)
Practice 4easy
In the following sentence, identify the part containing an error:
(A) He is / (B) an honest / (C) and dedicated / (D) the employee. / (E) No error
Practice 5easy
In the following sentence, identify the part containing an error:
(A) She is reading / (B) a book / (C) about the history / (D) of ancient Rome. / (E) No error
Practice 6easy
In the following sentence, identify the error (if any):
The students were asked (A) to read / (B) an article / (C) from the / (D) internet yesterday. / No error (E)
Practice 7easy
In the following sentence, identify the error (if any):
She is (A) a most talented / (B) student in / (C) the class and / (D) deserves recognition. / No error (E)
Practice 8easy
In the following sentence, identify the error (if any):
The manager asked (A) an employee / (B) to submit / (C) the report / (D) before noon. / No error (E)
Practice 9easy
In the following sentence, identify the error (if any):
The committee has decided (A) to implement / (B) a new policy / (C) across the / (D) organisation. / No error (E)
Practice 10medium
Identify the error in the following sentence:
The manager asked (A) / a junior employee (B) / to prepare the report (C) / with utmost care. (D) / No error (E)
Practice 11medium
Identify the error in the following sentence:
The committee has decided (A) / that an new policy (B) / should be implemented (C) / across all departments. (D) / No error (E)
Practice 12medium
Identify the error in the following sentence:
The professor explained (A) / that a student should always (B) / consult the reference materials (C) / before submitting an assignment. (D) / No error (E)
Practice 13medium
Identify the error in the following sentence:
The director requested (A) / that the team submit (B) / the quarterly report (C) / by the end of the month. (D) / No error (E)
Practice 14medium
Identify the error in the following sentence:
The manager asked (A) / each of the employees (B) / to submit a report (C) / by the end of week. (D) / No error (E)
Practice 15medium
Identify the error in the following sentence:
A student should always (A) / carry an identification card (B) / to the examination hall (C) / for security purpose. (D) / No error (E)
Practice 16medium
Identify the error in the following sentence:
The principal announced (A) / that a new sports complex (B) / would be constructed (C) / in the campus by next year. (D) / No error (E)
Practice 17medium
Identify the error in the following sentence:
The government has launched (A) / a scheme to provide (B) / free education to the children (C) / of the poor families. (D) / No error (E)
Practice 18medium
Identify the error in the following sentence:
The committee has decided (A) / that an applicant must possess (B) / a bachelor's degree in engineering (C) / and the experience of five years. (D) / No error (E)
Practice 19hard
The board of directors, along with the chief executive officer, (A) have decided to implement (B) a new strategy that will revolutionise the way in which (C) the company conducts its operations across all divisions. (D) No error
Practice 20hard
Although she had been working in the finance sector for over a decade, (A) she was unable to secure (B) an position in the multinational corporation (C) despite her extensive experience and qualifications. (D) No error
3 more practice questions in the Study Panel
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